In a dramatic escalation of his ongoing feud with outspoken critics,President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that he is actively exploring the possibility of revoking comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship. This unprecedented threat signals a potential new frontier in Trump’s use of executive power against perceived political adversaries.
“Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Grate Country, I am giving serious consideration too taking away her Citizenship,” Trump announced via a post on his Truth Social platform. He further characterized O’Donnell as a “threat to humanity” and suggested she should “remain in the fantastic Country of Ireland,” where she has resided as January.
Legal experts point out that no U.S. president has the authority under current law to revoke the citizenship of a U.S.-born citizen.Such an action would lack any legal precedent or basis in existing statutes, raising significant constitutional questions.
This is not the first instance of Trump questioning an opponent’s citizenship as a form of veiled threat. Earlier this month,the President falsely cast doubt on the citizenship of Zohran mamdani,who recently secured victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary.
“A lot of people are saying he’s here illegally,” Trump remarked about Mamdani. “We’re going to look at everything. Ideally, he’s going to turn out to be much less than a communist. But right now he’s a communist. That’s not a socialist.”
O’Donnell has been a consistent and vocal critic of Trump for years, with their public animosity dating back over a decade. Following Trump’s statement on Truth Social, O’Donnell responded with her own sharp rebukes via Instagram.
“The president of the usa has always hated the fact that i see him for who he is – a criminal con man sexual abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself – this is why i moved to ireland,” she stated. O’Donnell also expressed concern that Trump intends to “deport all who stand against” his “evil tendencies.”
What legal standard of proof is required for the government to successfully revoke someone’s U.S. citizenship through denaturalization?
Trump Explores Revoking Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship
The Renewed Controversy & Legal Challenges
Former President Donald Trump has recently indicated he is exploring avenues to revoke the U.S. citizenship of comedian and actress Rosie O’Donnell. This growth, first reported by several news outlets on July 12th, 2025, stems from long-standing personal animosity and unsubstantiated claims regarding O’Donnell’s ancestry. The potential action raises significant legal questions surrounding citizenship revocation and the limits of presidential power. This isn’t the first time trump has targeted O’Donnell; their public feud dates back to the early 2000s.
Understanding Citizenship Revocation: A Complex Legal Landscape
Revoking citizenship is an extremely rare and legally complex process in the United States. It’s not a punitive measure, but rather reserved for cases involving fraud during the naturalization process. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:
Fraudulent Acquisition: Citizenship can be revoked if obtained through intentional misrepresentation or concealment of material facts during the naturalization process. This includes false statements about eligibility or prior criminal history.
Denaturalization process: The process, known as denaturalization, is initiated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and requires a court order. The government must prove, by “clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence,” that the citizenship was illegally obtained.
Statute of Limitations: There’s a five-year statute of limitations on denaturalization proceedings, starting from the date the citizenship was granted.
Constitutional Concerns: Revoking citizenship raises constitutional concerns related to due process and equal protection under the law.
Trump’s Claims and O’Donnell’s Response
Trump has repeatedly alleged, without providing evidence, that O’Donnell’s birth certificate is fraudulent and that her mother may not have been a U.S. citizen at the time of her birth. These claims have been debunked by fact-checkers and legal experts. O’Donnell, born in Commack, New York, has consistently maintained the legitimacy of her birth and citizenship.
She responded to trump’s latest statements via social media, calling them “harassment” and “a desperate attempt to distract from his legal troubles.” O’Donnell’s legal team has stated they are prepared to vigorously defend her citizenship should the DOJ initiate proceedings.
Historical Precedents & Denaturalization Cases
While rare, denaturalization has occurred in U.S. history. Here are a few notable examples:
- Harry Wu (1994): A Chinese-American man who admitted to falsely claiming his parents were U.S. citizens to gain entry into the country and later citizenship.
- Klaus Richter (1988): A former Nazi SS officer who concealed his wartime activities during his naturalization process.
- Recent DOJ Efforts (2008-2017): During the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations, the DOJ pursued denaturalization cases against individuals linked to Nazi war crimes, focusing on concealment of past affiliations.
These cases highlight the specific circumstances under which denaturalization is typically pursued – namely, demonstrable fraud related to the naturalization process, not personal animosity or political disagreements.
The Potential Legal Battles Ahead
If the Trump management were to pursue denaturalization,it would likely face a protracted legal battle. Key legal arguments would center around:
Lack of Evidence: the burden of proof rests heavily on the government to demonstrate fraudulent acquisition of citizenship. Trump’s unsubstantiated claims would likely be insufficient.
Political Motivation: O’Donnell’s lawyers would likely argue that any attempt to revoke her citizenship is politically motivated and violates her due process rights.
First Amendment Concerns: The attempt could be framed as retaliation for O’donnell’s criticism of Trump, raising First Amendment concerns regarding freedom of speech.
Implications for U.S. Citizenship & Presidential Power
This situation raises broader concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the erosion of citizenship rights. Experts warn that a politically motivated attempt to revoke citizenship could:
Set a Dangerous Precedent: It could open the door to future attempts to weaponize denaturalization against political opponents.
Undermine Public Trust: It could erode public trust in the integrity of the citizenship process.
Expand Presidential authority: It could be interpreted as an expansion of presidential power beyond constitutional limits.
Resources for further Details
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/
Department of Justice (DOJ): https://www.justice.gov/
* Immigration Law Resource Center: https://www.ilrc.org/
